Work, work, work.
Everyone has to do it. The most fortunate of us find a way of turning our passions into careers. However, even those who love their jobs still need to take a break from it every now and then. No one is immune to burnout, so we all need to understand when it’s time for us to take a break. While it’s important to take regular breaks throughout the day, it’s also important that you take time for a vacation, whether it’s a long weekend or an extended trip. This helps us really relax, get away from our regular lives, and not have to worry about anything for a little while.
Whether you enjoy your job or merely tolerate it, here are four warning signs that you are way overdue for a trip to somewhere fun, relaxing, and far, far away.
You Work During Downtime
For anyone who works, taking regular breaks is important. Any time you have too much of something, there’s the danger of becoming addicted. When you drink too much alcohol, you risk becoming an alcoholic. Likewise, when you spend too much time working, you risk becoming a workaholic. Some of us are prone to using our personal downtime on work rather than doing the things we enjoy. If you’re never getting a break from work, even when you’re off the clock, you can get extremely stressed out quickly.
When that happens, a staycation isn’t enough. For those who sacrifice their downtime for work, it’s time for an actual vacation. If you’re a Michigan property flipper who spends the weekend cruising one of the many houses for sale that you can click here to see, instead of taking in a Tigers game at Comerica Park, it’s clear you need to get the heck out of town if you’re ever going to unwind.
You’re a Stranger at Home
The worst thing about being overworked isn’t just exhaustion but also how that exhaustion affects your relationships with your loved ones. Stress can impact every part of your life, so it can be difficult to find any relief, even when you’re at home and with the people, you’re closest to. Are you starting to feel like a stranger in your own home? Is it hard to remember when you last saw friends? Do you find yourself acting irritably towards them?
This kind of thing can happen to you even if you work from home. Being absent isn’t always a matter of spatial distance, but emotional and mental distance as well. The personal relationships in our lives are some of the most important things we have, so we need to be sure we’re taking care of them, which is difficult to do when you aren’t feeling like yourself. Sometimes, the people we’re closest to could pick up on changes in our attitudes before we do, so if someone in your life asks if something is going on, this is something you should really think about. Reconnecting with the people who matter most to you in a relaxing environment is often as important for their sake as it is for your own.
You Can’t Keep Track of Time
Vacations have many benefits, providing rest and relief, exposing us to new experiences and environments, and strengthening our bonds with friends and family. One of the most important functions they play, though, is a change of pace. Without variety, life becomes bland.
When you follow a regular routine, it doesn’t take long for days to begin blending together. This is easy to understand since most of us are likely doing the same thing day in and day out. Most of the time, there’s nothing we can really do about this. When you’re absorbed with work, it’s easy to lose track of time. Before you know it, you may start wondering where all that time goes. You may feel like your whole life is passing you by, which is an incredibly stressful feeling. No one wants to feel like all of their time is being wasted. That’s as sure a sign as any that you need to stop and smell the roses. Taking a long break every now and then gives you something different to do outside of your regular routine, so life doesn’t feel so monotonous anymore.
Your Job Feels Like a Chore
Okay, no one wants to work. If all our needs were taken care of, most of us would happily spend our days doing only those things which bring us the most joy. But holding a job generally requires you to at least be good at it, if not outright enjoy it. Few people can work nonstop and still enjoy what they’re doing every day. Even if you love your job, eventually, it can start to be draining if you’re not getting a break.
Of course, there will always be days that are difficult, even if you are well-rested. However, if most days feel like this, no matter what you have going on, it could be a sign that something is wrong. If your average, everyday workload gradually begins feeling harder to manage, or even to tolerate, it means you’re getting burned out. To keep the fire from going out, you need to refuel. Taking a vacation can help you do that, and in doing so, keep your job from turning into a painful grind.
Take the Break You Deserve
We all need to set aside time for ourselves to spend time doing what we enjoy. Dedicating all your time to work and other tasks might seem like you’re dedicated and doing the best that you can, but if you’re getting burnout, your work could actually be suffering. In the end, taking a well-earned vacation will only help you in the long run. If you’ve been feeling stressed and overwhelmed, a vacation could be exactly what you need to come back feeling refreshed and ready to tackle everything on your plate.
If any of the above remind you of yourself, it’s time to schedule a vacation.